FDA: late again
The federal Food and Drug Administration proves with its latest postponement that they miss the point of Emergency Contraception. For two years, the FDA has repeatedly stalled women across America, who are waiting for FDA approval to make Emergency Contraception available over-the-counter. On August 26, 2005, the FDA again decided to delay this decision.
Emergency Contraception can reduce the risk of pregnancy for up to five days after unprotected sexual intercourse, but the sooner started, the better. Emergency Contraception (the "morning after pill") is up to 89% effective at pregnancy prevention if taken within 72 hours. Currently, women need a valid prescription to get Emergency Contraception, which can take time to get, especially if the need arises on a weekend or holiday.
Emergency Contraception is available at any Planned Parenthood health center. You can pick it up anytime without an appointment, and you can purchase it in advance to keep at home "just in case."
FDA Commissioner Lester Crawford stated that the scientific data proves that Emergency Contraception is safe, effective, and meets FDA criteria for over-the-counter availability. However, the FDA delayed its decision on Barr Laboratories' proposal to make Emergency Contraception available to women 17 and older without a prescription and women 16 and younger with a prescription; the FDA neglected to set a new timeline to make this decision. There is no evidence that increased access to Emergency Contraception makes women, including teens, more promiscuous or likely to indulge in risky behavior.
Research indicates that greater availability of Emergency Contraception could prevent 1.7 million unintended pregnancies and 800,000 abortions each year in the United States (Glasier, Anna & David Baird. 1998. "The Effects of Self-Administering Emergency Contraception." New England Journal of Medicine, 339(1), 1-4. Van Look, Paul F.A. & Felicia Stewart. 1998. "Emergency Contraception." Pp. 277-295 in Robert A. Hatcher et al., eds., Contraceptive Technology, 17th edition. New York: Ardent Media.). Over-the-counter availability allows more timely use, eliminating barriers such as limitations of physicians' or health center hours, or pharmacists who refuse to fill birth control prescriptions.
When all the evidence says over-the-counter status for Emergency Contraception would be a leap forward for women's rights and public health, why is the FDA dragging its feet?
We're waiting. Urge your member of Congress to hold a hearing to investigate the FDA's diversion tactics.
AUGUST 31, 2005: FDA official resigns in protest of handling of Emergency Contraception application.
Learn more about Emergency Contraception
• Emergency Contraception basics
• The difference between Emergency Contraception and medication abortion
• Pharmacy access to Emergency Contraception
• Emergency Contraception and Teens
• New York Times article on FDA's 8/26/05 ruling
• Raise awareness of Emergency Contraception
